About Naperville Exchange Club

The Exchange Club works together to make our communities better places to live through programs in Community Service, Youth Activities, Americanism and the Prevention of Child Abuse.

The Exchange Club of Naperville was chartered in 1987 and is dedicated to the elimination of child abuse and domestic violence. Through financial contributions to more than 50 local charities, the Exchange Club has raised more than $14 million from its service activities at Ribfest.

The Exchange Club of Naperville has established Project HELP as a Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse in 1992. Focused on stopping child abuse before it happens, Project HELP supports parent education through the Parent Mentor Program. This program is supported by the Exchange Club of Naperville providing parent support and education.

Check out the Radio Disney Kids Radio Show, broadcasting from the Ribber Row Stage Thursday, July 3 from 1:00-2:30pm!

Transform into a butterfly, clown, and more! Face painting daily from 1-3pm and 5-7pm at Erica’s Funny Faces in the Family Area.

Hold a snake! See a lizard! Visit the "Cold Blooded Creatures" Reptile Show on July 4th and July 6th from 4-5pm in the Family Area.

Soar on NEW HEIGHTS balloon twister from 1-3pm and 6-8pm daily in the Family Area.

See your favorite animals from 12noon-8pm daily in the Family Area at Miller Petting Zoo.

Zoom down the big slide in the Family Area, open from 12noon-8pm daily!

Challenge your friends to Laser Tag in the Family area from 12noon-8pm daily!

Music Stories

DID YOU KNOW...

In 2013 Casey James went out into the merchandise tent to sign 100’s of autographs and get pictures taken with fans after his show.

In 2013 Rick Springfield performed a private back yard acoustic concert at a fan’s house in downtown Naperville before Ribfest.

In 2013 James Young of STYX purchased 100 tickets for his friends and family to be at Ribfest!

In 2012 the guitar signed by Steve Miller that is given to a local charityis actually a work of art. He decorated both the case and the guitar with multiple colored sharpies, penning out the names of his hits, drawing hearts and peace signs.

In 2011 during Bruce Hornsby’s show, members of the audience wrote down songs they wanted to hear, laid them on the stage…and he played several of them.

In 2010 Julianne Hough worked out at Edward Fitness Center the day of her show much to the delight of the club members.

In 2008 Trace Adkinswas runner-up on the "Celebrity Apprentice" and released a huge hit “You’re Gonna Miss This” when he played Ribfest. As Trace left the stage on his way back to his dressing room, he noticed two young boys in wheelchairs in the middle of the crowd. He waded out into the crowd to meet the two.After getting his picture taken with them, he proceeded to sign autographs, shake hands, and hug every other fan.

In 2010 Charlie Daniels was so charming at Ribfest that when he was to do a meet and greet with sponsors before the show, he talked to every single person including the staff volunteers.

Elvin Bishop showed up with a bottle of his homemade hot sauce and jelly for the backstage crew. Brought out blues legend, Smokey Smothers for a surprise jam at Ribfest.

In 2005 Umphrey’s McGee travelled from Californiaat the last minute to perform a memorial show for Brian Schultz a long time sponsor of Ribfest who was killed in a car crash. The band had bag pipes on stage to play Amazing Grace and then played the AC/DC song “It’s A Long Way To Top If You Wanna Rock & Roll” complete with the bag pipe solo.

In 2005 Adrian Belew donated $5,000 of his fee back to the club because he was touched by the Ribfest cause!

In 2004 LynyrdSkynyrd’s famous Outlaws Motorcycle Club showed up with more than a 100 of their “personal security team” at Ribfest!

In 2002 Dave Mason showed up with deli trays for the entire Ribfest backstage crew.

In 2010 Los Lonely Boys played a free acoustic concert at Wentz Hall for hundreds of the kids we support. Afterward they let the kids onstage to try out guitars and drums. Each kid left with a signed pick or drumsticks and a day of memories.

In 2006 Trent Tomlinson, at the time, an up-and-coming country star that had the chart toppers "One Wing in the Fire", and "Country is My Rock”. After celebrating his birthday on stage, he then went to a local Naperville eatery and played for a few hundred local residents and friends, to continue his birthday celebration.

In 2003 members of Los Lobos came off stage after their encore performance with Dickie Betts (Allman Brothers Band) and running for their cell phones to call friends and family to tell them who they just played with on stage.

In 1998 Pat Benatarwent rollerblading in downtown Naperville and hung out at the Main Street Starbucks the afternoon of her show.

In 2001 Mark Farnerfrom Grand Funk Railroad (sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles) got a ride to Starbucks for coffee from a Ribfest staff member. Later that afternoon he acted as nursemaid to the same staff member with an ankle injury.

In 2010 Eric Burdon and the Animals just finished the show at Ribfest when a patron jumped the barrier and climbed on stage. An injured staff member got to the patron just before reaching Eric who was extremely grateful. The guy just wanted an aotograph, but you never know!